Recently I shared the story of a woman named Angie, who experienced financial exploitation at the hands of leaders in a New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) church. Now I want to share another story, of  a man named Mike.Mike shared his story in the comments section of my blog and has given me permission to reprint it here.Mike's Story

I was part of a New Apostolic Reformation movement in Miami, Florida.  I was involved for four years. God pulled me and my family out of that toxic environment and I am grateful. Speaking from experience, it’s very difficult for those who are caught up in this movement to get out because the indoctrination has a stronghold on them. The environment that is formed in these apostolic and prophetic circles is very much cult-like. Some movements are very subtle, but others are not so subtle in their particular methods of controlling the masses. Needless to say, the core tenets are the same. It is a constant push to seek supernatural experiences. A common tactic is to convince the masses that other non-apostolic/prophetic churches are “dead” in that one does not experience supernatural events in these orthodox churches. In others words, all other churches are boring and non-eventful. Indeed, this tactic and others are pushed on their masses in an environment of great music, Bible teaching out of context, and “supernatural” experiences. In addition, they overwhelm the flock by pushing them to serve in all sorts of ministries to maximize the exposure to this hypnotic environment. Most people in these movements have very little time to discern what is going on. In addition, anyone who so much as asks a question contrary to the doctrines being taught is immediately shut down and/or labeled as one who has given in to the “enemy’s deception.” In my personal experience, I was starting to question many things because my reading of the Bible was not aligned with my experience in the congregation. I estimate that it took me about nine months of reading the Bible and researching this movement to make the decision to break away from this movement. Not to mention that I had to learn how to study the Bible, and I am still learning. I am convinced that God drew me to His Word and thereby pulled me away from this movement. It’s been about two years since we parted from this movement and till this day I am still dealing with some of the out-of-context residual of the doctrines that are taught in this movement.  I also broke away from some friendships as a result of my parting ways with the ministry and that has also had an impact on my family. All that being said, glory be to God and thank you Jesus for the gift of repentance and the mercy that has been extended to me in His grace. I am learning to feed on Jesus Christ daily and I am recognizing that He is the only “manna” that I need daily to persevere in this fallen world. I don’t need an outwardly expressed supernatural experience that draws attention to me, but rather I need the intimacy of fellowship with Jesus Christ that graces me with victory over my own sin and live a life of repentance so that I may glorify Him on a day-to-day basis with a thankful heart. May the Spirit of God continuously guide you to reach out to those who need to read your blog and receive from it a pull from the Holy Spirit that draws them to the biblical Jesus. The story of the Bible is that Jesus came to deliver His people from their sin. He did many miracles, signs, and wonders but that’s not why he came. The biblical apostles also did many wonders in the name of Jesus in the context of the first-century church. We should never confuse what Jesus did with why he came, died on a cross, and was resurrected on the third day by the Father so that we may have victory over our sin and thereby return to fellowship with Him. God bless you, Holly. Mike M.

My ThoughtsMike's story is different than Angie's. Angie was exploited financially by greedy and deceptive leaders.The NAR leaders Mike followed twisted the teachings of the Bible, encouraging people to focus on seeking supernatural experiences rather than focusing on the salvation from sin that is available through Jesus Christ. By preaching the Bible out of context, they taught Mike to read it incorrectly. And it has taken him a long time to relearn how to read it correctly---in context. Two years later, he still struggles with shedding the false doctrines he was taught.Also notice how it took him about nine months from the time he began questioning the teachings until he was finally able to make a break with his church. This should be an encouragement to those of you who have loved ones caught in churches that promote unbiblical teachings. Keep praying for them and keep challenging them with the correct teachings of the Bible. Just because they haven't left them yet doesn't mean they won't. It can take time for the scales of indoctrination to fall off their eyes.-- By Holly Pivec